Episode 16: Fostering a love for sustainability in the Early Years with Cheryl Hadland
Mar 29, 2023
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Cheryl Hadland, Managing Director at Tops Day Nurseries, shares tips on fostering a love for sustainability in Early Years education. She discusses practical ways to create a sustainable learning environment, teaching children about the benefits of environmental activities, and the importance of role modeling sustainable behaviors. Cheryl also emphasizes the significance of teaching children about the environment, habitats, and developing empathy for wildlife.
Engaging children in positive, practical actions fosters a genuine love and understanding of sustainability.
Linking sustainability practices to children's daily experiences helps them grasp the relevance and significance of these actions to their own lives.
Deep dives
Pitching sustainability to children in a positive and practical way
When teaching young children about sustainability, it's important to pitch the concept at their level in a positive and practical manner. Instead of focusing on scary or negative aspects like the dangers of polluting, it is more effective to engage children by encouraging them to take small, positive actions. This can include activities like planting, picking up trash, and sorting recyclables. By emphasizing the pride and impact of these actions, children can develop a genuine love and understanding of sustainability.
Making sustainability relatable to early years children
To help early years children understand sustainability, it is crucial to make it relatable to their own lives and immediate surroundings. Instead of overwhelming them with abstract concepts, focus on their sense of self and the environment they reside in. By linking sustainability practices to their daily experiences, such as discussing recycling or composting while exploring decomposing fruit or making perfumes from citrus peels, children can grasp the relevance and significance of these actions to their own lives.
Role modeling and the value of small actions
In teaching sustainability, role modeling plays a crucial role. Practitioners should lead by example, using reusable water bottles and demonstrating the use of eco-friendly materials in the classroom. By showing children positive behaviors, practitioners can instill the belief that small actions matter and can make a difference. Celebrating the little things, like using thrifted resources or engaging in bird feeding, fosters a sense of pride and community involvement. Moreover, it is essential to engage in open discussions about sustainability, encouraging dialogue and reflection on the importance of respect for the environment.
With many Early Years settings looking for ways to implement more sustainable practices in their settings and outdoor areas, Cheryl Hadland, Managing Director at Tops Day Nurseries, joins our latest podcast episode to share her thoughts on creating a more sustainable learning environment.
From top tips on fostering a love for environmentally friendly activities, resources, and practices, to practical ways to help children (and practitioners) understand the benefits of this, Cheryl reveals some of the small changes that can make such a huge difference.
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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)
Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited.
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